As most people working for corporations know, there aren’t any work holidays between New Year’s Day and Memorial Day – a span of over 20 weeks. That’s when the wanderlust settles in. So to provide a visual aid for our collective wanderlust, I present you with this magnificent sky over the red rocks of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.
Every year, Damsel and I make the pilgrimage back to the place where we got married — Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California. You might have seen our postings on some of the things we saw this visit.
Crossing the Catalina Channel from San Pedro to Avalon on the Catalina Express boat takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Crossing the Catalina Channel on the Island Express helicopter takes about fifteen minutes. Always anxious to get there, Damsel and I generally take the helicopter over and the boat back. This works to our advantage two ways: one, we get there quick and start our vacation activities an hour sooner, and two, there is not a restrictive weight limit on the boat for baggage (25 lbs max on the helicopter), and if we buy souvenirs and stuff there, taking the boat back makes sense to us. Actually, both means of transportation are fine with us, and both are enjoyable. This little two-minute movie shows a few sequences I recorded our last trip over.
Yesterday, we played tourist around Avalon and visited several of the Catalina Island attractions. One ride we’ve never taken before is the cruise to Seal Rocks on the east end of the island. It was very interesting and fun when we got to the rocks, this female sea lion swam out to check us out and show off a little.
Along this tour you’ll sail to Seal Rocks aboard the 64-foot Blanche W., an open-deck passenger boat made specifically for Catalina’s coastline. California Sea Lions are one of the Pacific Oceans most entertaining residents. Adult males grow up to an imposing 1,000 pounds, and their cute little pups love to frolic and play.
This morning, we woke up in our favorite hotel in Avalon. We were having our continental breakfast on the balcony when this uninvited, but not unwelcome guest flew in for a bite.
The Santa Catalina Island Company added a new webcam on the famous Casino to the existing Pavillion Cam across the bay. This is the 7AM picture seen today from the new Casino Cam. Typical of the last weeks of summer, harbor moorings are nearly sold out.
Update: Banning House Webcam located at Two Harbors.
Happy Birthday, National Park Service!
On August 25, 2006, the National Park Service celebrates its 90th birthday. Created in 1916 under the Organic Act, Congress and President Woodrow Wilson charged the Park Service with overseeing 35 public land units to preserve America’s vast diversity for future generations.
Much has changed in 90 years! Now, not only does the National Park Service manage all of America’s 390 park units, its responsibilities have grown into complex fields, such as scientific research, archeology, historic preservation, interpretation and education outreach. Over 84.4 million acres of parkland provides habitats for 369 threatened or endangered species, houses 100 million items in museum collections, contains 1.5 million archaeological sites and protects 27,000 historic structures. Our beloved National Park sites are visited 277 million times a year, employ 20,000 employees, and receive valued assistance from 144,000 volunteers per year.
Can’t think of the just right birthday gift? Donate to the National Park Foundation to ensure America’s greatest collection of natural, cultural and historic sites are taken care of for the next 90 years!
Story courtesy NPS Newsletter
We already have enjoyed our summer vacation with a stop at the Grand Canyon but always enjoy a fresh look at that magnificent spectacle. Today’s visit to the National Park System‘s Grand Canyon Webcam yielded this view from Yavapai Point on the South Rim, elevation 7084 feet.
